Leinster U16 Championship

Wexford 6.6 Meath 7.10

Meath u16 girls negotiated a tricky tie at windy Oylgate Wexford on Saturday last to set up a semi-final date with Laois. This was a fast open game dominated by the forwards on both sides. Meath settled the quicker with Laura Dempsey finding the net twice in the first 10 minutes. Wexford responded with a goal and 2 points themselves before Emma Healy and Laura Dempsey added further goals either side of a Leslie Buchannan free. Wexford kept in touch but Meath finished the half stronger with points from Michelle Peel, Kelly Harris and Laura Griffin to lead 5.4 to 2.4 at the interval.

Meath introduced Ellen Hennelly for Niamh Sheridan at half time and turned around with the wind at their backs . Wexford weren’t about to lie down and with ace forwards Ellen O Brien and Fiona Bennett running at the Meath defence they reduced the deficit to 2 points with a brace of well taken goals and a further point from play. Leslie Buchannan calmed Meath nerves with a low shot to the net followed by a free and with midfielder Peel adding a fine point from play the score read 6.6 to 5.5 with 15 minutes remaining.

Meath then took a stranglehold of the game when Laura Dempsey moved to midfield . Surging runs from Dempsey, Emma Troy Laura Griffin and Maeve Scanlan kept the score board ticking over while Wexford were limited to occasional chances at the other end. Meath keeper Sarah Powderly saved a well struck penalty in the last 10 minutes to preserve her teams lead and with Kelly Harris finding the net soon after and Sarah Reilly getting the final point Meath ran out comfortable winners 7.10 to 6.6

Best for Meath were Powderly, Troy , Helen Regan Dempsey , Peel , Scanlon , Griffin ,Buchannan and Harris with support from Laura Murray and Emma Healy . This result ensured Meath avoided championship favourites Dublin in the Leinster Semi- final but significant improvement will be required to secure a final berth .

Meath: Sarah Powderly, Niamh Sheridan, Laura Murray, Siofra Cleary Emma Troy(0.1) Helen Regan, Ciara Delaney, Michele Peel (0.2) Ailish Moriarty , Maeve Scanlon Laura Dempsey (4.1) Laura Griffin (0.1) Kelly Harris (1.1) Leslie Buchannan (1.3) Emma Reilly (1.0) Subs Ellen Hennely for Sheridan, Caroline Brotherwood for Moriarty and Sarah O Reilly (0.1) for Emma Healy